24 Feb 2016

Catholic Church in Singapore urges boycott of Madonna concert

Religious groups in Singapore, led by the city-state's archbishop, have been lobbying against the Queen of Pop's concert this month

Madonna already agreed to cut a particularly racy section of the show after lobbying from conservative members of the population.

A part of the show featuring scantily-clad nuns and crucifix stripper poles has been removed from the Singapore leg of her Rebel Heart tour.

Officials also placed an R-rating on the show for its sexual references so concert-goers must be aged 18 or over.

However, this was not enough to stop archbishop William Goh from denouncing the star's performance in a message to his congregation. He warned believers not to support those who “denigrate and insult religions.”

This is not the first time Madonna has courted controversy in Singapore. In 1993 she was barred from performing after police said her performances bordered on the obscene and were “objectionable to many on moral and religious grounds."

Madonna will play at the national stadium on Sunday 28 February.